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Thursday, May 24. 2007
A funny feeling - Chuck vs Rampage
As the Chuck Liddell vs Quinton Jackson fight draws nearer, I am getting a very strange feeling. The intellectual in me says that it's just the UFC marketing machine building up the fight, but I can't help but feel that Liddell is genuinely worried about Rampage and Rampage genuinely believes that he's going to "whoop Chuck's ass".After watching the UFC 71 countdown and UFC All Access, Rampage edition, I can't help but feel this way. Now, the UFC has fooled me before (see Renato Babalu Sobral vs Chuck Liddell), but this time is different.
I watched the first Rampage vs Liddell fight live (or as live as any of the Pride matches being fed from Japan were) and I thought that Chuck would have a rough time, but defeat Rampage. I was suprised that Rampage ran over Chuck like he did, then lost so decisively to Wanderlei Silva. It was this sequence of events that made me start believing that the Pride talent pool was much deeper than the UFC's. Of course events since then have proven that to be incorrect (as a general statement). Anybody who witnessed Ricco Rodriguez vs Antonio Nogueira should know that the UFC (and former UFC) fighter are right on par with their Pride counterparts. Big Nog won that fight, but I thought it was closer than the judges did.
Chuck vs Rampage...we could be seeing a changing of the guard. Of course, I am a glass half full kind of guy, so what can we expect if Rampage does win?
How about Chuck vs Wanderlei? These two have wanted to fight for a long time and with both coming off losses, it may be the perfect time. Or would Dana White give Chuck and instant rematch against Rampage? That would probably depend on Chuck and his camp. If it is a close fight which comes down to a decision, I could see this happening...if it is a decisive Rampage victory then I don't see a reason for it.
With Shogun entering the UFC (see the Chute Box home page for this info), it would open up Shogun vs Rampage 2. Where does Dan Henderson fit into this picture? Ideally I'd like to see Dan fighting at middleweight and taking on Anderson Silva.
Any way, for now this is just a feeling. Feel free to comment on my sixth sense!
Friday, May 4. 2007
Quinton Jackson vs Chuck Liddell
On May 26, 2007 Quinton "Rampage" Jackson will attempt to do what few others have done, defeat Chuck Liddell in a Mixed Martial Arts match. Luckily for Rampage, he is one of those chosen few. Quinton Jackson, along with Jeremy Horn and Randy Couture are Chuck Liddell's only losses on an otherwise unblemished MMA record. Quinton Jackson defeated Chuck Liddell in a Pride tournament match in 2003, can he do it again?Certainly if you look at the won/loss record of these two figthers, they are evenly matched. Quinton, like Liddell has only lost to the best of the best. Even Chuck Liddell's own trainer admits that Quinton Jackson doesn't have any glaring weaknesses. Then again, either does Chuck. Let's try to break down the keys to victory for each fighter.
Quinton Rampage Jackson keys to victory
1) Don't back up after getting hit. Fighters who turtle, back up or just cover up when fighting Chuck Liddell do not fair very well. Tito Ortiz has been caught in both of his fights against Liddell doing exactly that. The problem with covering up to weather the storm against Chuck is that the storm comes from all angles, all big power shots and it doesn't stop until you are TKO'd.
2) Take Chuck down, but not until you have him hurt or tired. The best way to defeat Chuck Liddell is on the ground, whether it is submitting him (like Jeremy Horn), or ground and pounding him like Quinton Jackson or Randy Couture did. The problem is that Chuck has the best take down defense in the sport. Hurt him first or catch him when he's winded, he will go down. Once he's down, take advantage, Chuck gets up off the ground extremely well sometimes using the cage as leverage. Once Chuck is down, keep him there and don't stop throwing punches.
3) Try to avoid getting hit, but if you do, fire back. Chuck throws long looping power shots, a good puncher should (in theory) be able to counter between them and tag Chuck. The problem is that Chuck takes a punch very very well, recovers quickly if hurt and when he hits you he hits you hard.
4) Use your knees in the clinch. If Quinton Rampage Jackson manages to clinch with Chuck, he should attempt to soften him up with knees. Jackson uses his knees well and a good knee could bring Chuck to the ground.
Chuck Liddell keys to victory
1) Chuck needs to keep this standing, if it does go to the ground he needs to be on top. Quinton is just too strong a guy and Chuck doesn't work as well as some from his back.
2) Avoid the clinch. Chuck lands a good shot when breaking from the clinch and this is what he should do, if Quinton grabs on, Chuck should push away and throw the uppercut. The problem is that Quinton also does this very well, just ask Marvin Eastman.
3) Finish early. In other words, if Chuck gets Quinton hurt he should pounce. He doesn't want this to go into round 4 or 5 with someone like Jackson. A late slam could be the difference between victory and defeat in this fight.
4) Use leg kicks. Chuck Liddell has great kicks, but usually finishes people with punches. Don't attempt the high kicks and risk the take down, but use lots of leg kicks to make sure that Jackson doesn't have that pop later in the fight.
On paper, this is an excellent fight. Two exciting fighters who love to go at it. Chuck Liddell believes that he can finish Quinton Jackson early, he thinks it will be completely different than the first fight. Quinton Jackson says it's just another day at the office. We'll see who's right on May 26th.